Don't Even Think About Running, or I Won't Be So Nice!

"The era that belongs to me, Aiven, begins at this very moment!"

Aiven watched the retreating Kingdom Army from afar, his heart blazing with fierce flames.

For now, Ai City had repelled the Kingdom Army.

Qian Renxue had been captured by Aiven and was in his hands as a hostage. Whether it was the Kingdom of Aers or the Heaven Dou Empire, neither dared to casually send troops to attack.

In short, with Qian Renxue in his hands, Ai City was safe for the time being.

Now, the other side had only two choices. First, send someone to negotiate and offer terms in exchange for Qian Renxue.

Second, dispatch powerful Titled Douluo experts to secretly infiltrate and rescue Qian Renxue, or perhaps assassinate Aiven along the way.

But most importantly, keeping Qian Renxue as a prisoner also meant facing threats from Spirit Hall, the continent's strongest soul master faction!

So he had to make preparations for what came next.

"You people, clean up the aftermath and set up defensive measures. Xiahou Dun, Lu Bu, the two of you will return to the mansion with me."

"Yes, Lord."

After assigning the third-rate and second-rate Three Kingdoms Generals to deal with the aftermath, Aiven returned to the Duke's Mansion with Lu Bu and Xiahou Dun.

The combat power of Lu Bu and Xiahou Dun, two Titled Douluo, had to remain by Aiven's side at all times.

He was far too weak right now. He only had level ten Soul Power and had yet to absorb a soul ring.

Without protection, any random assassin could take him out.

"Throw her onto the sofa."

After returning to the living room of his own quarters in the Duke's Mansion, Aiven flopped down onto the sofa.

Lu Bu tossed Qian Renxue onto the sofa opposite him as well.

He clasped his hands behind his head, deep in thought.

Everything that had happened today had come too suddenly. There was also far too much he needed to do and prepare for next, leaving his mind somewhat muddled as he struggled to decide where to begin.

He quickly sorted out his thoughts.

One by one, he listed the matters that had to be handled immediately.

First, send someone to contact the Heaven Dou Empire and have the Empire send someone to negotiate. They could ransom Qian Renxue back under certain conditions, allowing him to achieve what he wanted.

Second, lay a Net of Heaven and Earth throughout Ai City. Fully protect Aiven and guard Qian Renxue, preventing Spirit Hall from sending experts to assassinate him or rescue her.

Third, officially notify and announce throughout Ai City that the Aiven Duchy would be established. He would crown himself its ruler, establish the duchy's system, appoint officials, set up administrative departments, and govern his own forces and territory as a nation.

Fourth, renovate the city walls, strengthen Ai City's Defense System, upgrade the army's equipment and supplies, and so on. All of that required funding!

The twenty thousand soldiers summoned by those Three Kingdoms Generals were all real people.

As long as they were people, they had to eat and be supported with money. Leaving aside whether they would receive military pay and salaries, just the food expenses for an additional twenty thousand people was already no small sum.

Everything cost money, so his immediate priority was resolving the funding problem. This could be one of the conditions negotiated with Qian Renxue.

Fifth, absorb his first soul ring and become a true soul master!

After leveling up, he would continue drawing generals and increase the nation's strength!

As for expanding his forces, attacking the Kingdom of Aers, and investigating the cause of his father Duke Ace's death, there was no need to rush those matters.

After organizing everything clearly, Aiven immediately began giving orders. "Send someone to the Heaven Dou Empire and have them send someone to negotiate with me."

"Yes!"

"Announce to the Ai City citizens that tomorrow, I will hold an Enfeoffment Ceremony in the city square and establish the Aiven Duchy!"

"Yes!"

Aiven issued the orders one after another.

At that moment, Qian Renxue finally woke up.

"Ugh... ah..." On the sofa, Qian Renxue shook her heavy head and groggily opened her eyes. "I-I'm... in heaven?"

Aiven smiled. "Heh, heaven? Heaven doesn't have the scent of the mortal world."

Seeing Aiven on the sofa opposite her, along with the two powerful men, Lu Bu and Xiahou Dun, standing at his sides.

Qian Renxue let out a long breath of relief. "Good. I'm not dead."

When she had felt Xiahou Dun's imposing aura earlier, she had thought she was about to be killed.

"Ah, I couldn't bear to kill you."

Qian Renxue quickly calmed down and warily glanced at the two fierce generals beside Aiven.

Then she withdrew her gaze and faced Aiven directly. "Couldn't bear to? I think you just don't dare kill me."

As she spoke, she settled into a comfortable position on the sofa, crossing her legs and folding her arms over her chest. She appeared completely relaxed, calm, and composed.

She did not look at all like someone who had fallen into a tiger's jaws—a prisoner, a hostage.

"Heh, interesting." Aiven smiled.

He knew Qian Renxue was an intelligent and calm woman, but he had not expected fourteen-year-old Qian Renxue to possess such composure.

Aiven asked in return, "What is there for me to fear?"

Qian Renxue smiled faintly. "Hehe, I am the First Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. If you kill me, the Heaven Dou Empire's million-strong army will surely join forces with the Kingdom of Aers to flatten your Ai City and tear you apart with five horses."

"And by capturing me and sparing my life, you merely want to use me as a hostage so that the Kingdom and the Empire will not dare send troops to attack you lightly."

"I imagine you also intend to make a deal with the Kingdom and the Empire using me, so you can survive this calamity, don't you?"

That was the source of Qian Renxue's current calm and composure.

Because she knew Aiven would never kill her.

But Aiven's mindset was still astonishing to her. He was merely a six-year-old child, yet he possessed such composure.

What Qian Renxue did not know was that Aiven's soul had long since belonged to an adult.

"Not bad! Truly not bad! As expected of the First Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire—exceptionally clever." Aiven clapped in praise, then shook his head. "You're right about everything. I'm indeed a little afraid to kill you, but it's also true that I can't bear to."

Is this brat sick? The identity I'm posing as, Xue Qinghe, is a man. What does he mean he can't bear to? It would be one thing if he knew my true identity as a woman.

He doesn't like men, does he? Wait, he's so young. Does he even know what liking someone means?

"Alright. Until the Heaven Dou Empire sends someone to negotiate with me, stay in my Duke's Mansion and behave yourself."

"I won't mistreat you. I'll provide you with good food and drink." As he spoke, Aiven revealed a mischievous smile. "But let me remind you—don't even think about running away, or I won't be so nice to you~"

Qian Renxue sneered inwardly. Heh, I am the Martial Soul Hall Young Master and the First Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Being captured by a mere duke's son—a six-year-old little brat like you—is already humiliating enough!

If I cannot escape your Ai City through my own abilities and am instead traded back as a bargaining chip...

That would be a disgrace to me, Qian Renxue!

I will definitely leave through my own abilities. A tiny Ai City cannot hold me.

And you, Aiven, actually dared to capture me. Once I leave and return again, This Young Master will never let you off lightly!

Qian Renxue already had an escape plan in mind.